Big favorite on paper, PSG held its place this Saturday to defeat Orléans (4-1) and qualify for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Once again, salvation came from Kylian Mbappé, author of a double and two assists.
Paris at a slow trot. After the card inflicted on Revel in the 32nd final (9-0), PSG was satisfied with the minimum to defeat Orléans at the Source stadium this Saturday (4-1) and validate its ticket for the eighth of final of the Coupe de France. On a new pitch, Luis Enrique’s players did not force themselves to eliminate a valiant National 1 team.
>> Relive Orléans-PSG
Orléans gave everything
Despite the two divisions of difference, Luis Enrique decided to align four attackers (Mbappé, Kolo Muani, Ramos, Asensio) to offer himself an offensive festival like against Revel in the previous round. Author of a hat-trick during the last Coupe de France match, Kylian Mbappé quickly found the fault within the Orléans defense, well served by Kolo Muani (1-0, 16th).
Largely dominant, the Parisians calmly managed their lead, without managing to make the break. Marco Asensio tried several times, but Matimbou was decisive in repelling the opposing attempts. Not immune, PSG also showed some defensive weaknesses. The National 1 team tried their luck on set pieces, but Paris ultimately finished the first 45 minutes with a single goal in advance.
Mbappé inflates his statistics
Remobilized by their coach Karim Mokeddem, the Orléans players did not give up and disrupted the Parisians. Without being very sharp, the French champions managed to make the break on the hour mark on a penalty from Mbappé, author of his fifth goal in two Coupe de France matches (2-0, 62nd). Double scorer, the French international changed into the role of passer to offer a caviar to Gonçalo Ramos, scorer with a pricked header (3-0, 72nd) to definitively extinguish the meager hopes of Orléans, who however saved the honor on a corner cut by Saint-Ruf (3-1, 86th).
The score being acquired, Luis Enrique gave playing time to a few titis. Entering the match, midfielder Senny Mayulu gave himself a nice baptism of fire by scoring his first professional goal with a nice dive ball (4-1, 88th) after a service from… Mbappé, again him. Paris will know its opponent in the round of 16 this Sunday during the draw.
Still undefeated in 2024 (four victories), the Parisians will continue their rise in power by returning to the championship next Sunday against Brest, the surprise team at the start of the season. With the meeting of February 14 in the back of my mind.